Muslim: Do you believe that Jesus is God?
Christian: Yes. Jesus, the Son of Mary, is God.
Muslim: Ok. Can we agree that there is only one Creator, and this was the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses and the rest of the Prophets who all worshiped this same one God?
Christian: Yes. No doubt there is only one God.
Muslim: Ok. Can we agree that this Creator is Eternal and His Nature does not change. He has certain attributes that are unique to Him such as being All-Powerfull, All-Wise, All-Holy and also All-knowing. He possesses these attributes at all times (i.e eternity) and He will never be the opposite of His unchanging nature, not for a single moment?
Christian: Agreed.
Muslim: So now, if someone claimed to be God, but was ignorant for just one second, then this would contradict his claim because the nature of God is that He is All-Knowing at all times. This would be a clear proof that the claimant cannot be God.
Christian: Yes, I agree. The opposite of such attributes are not Godly.
Muslim: Ok. Jesus said in Matthew 24.36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows…” So if Jesus was God, how could he have been ignorant of the Hour?
Christian: This is because he put his attributes aside to die for our sins.
Muslim: This goes against what we both agreed to. God possessing His Attributes all the time. You are saying that His unchanging nature: All-Powerfull, All-Wise, All-Holy, All-Knowing changes!?
Christian: Ok, I see.
Muslim: As a Muslim, I respect and revere Jesus as Prophet of Islam, and await his return. We believe that Jesus was a Prophet and Messenger of God, and a servant of His, sent to the Children of Israel. God mentioned in the Qur’an “But the Messiah [Jesus] said: ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode” (Q 5:72). This is something you should contemplate over and think about.